San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Gerardo Saavedra (25), after a trial by jury for a series of violent robberies. Mr. Saavedra was convicted of five counts of second-degree robbery (PC 211) and one count of unlawful possession of a concealed firearm (PC 25400(a)(2)). The jury also found true that he personally and intentionally used a firearm in the commission of these crimes.
“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “I would also like to thank the San Francisco Police Department for their quick work in partnership with the victims to make an arrest and recover the stolen property the night of the incidents. This verdict is yet another reminder to those who would come to San Francisco to take advantage of our residents; you will be identified, arrested and prosecuted.”
According to evidence and other testimony presented at trial on September 8, 2023, at approximately 11:44 p.m., Mr. Saavedra approached two people on a sidewalk on the 500 block of Howard Street where he brandished a Polymer 80 Firearm Ghost Gun and demanded their property. The victims handed him their property and he fled the area on foot. A little over an hour later, on September 9, 2023, at approximately 1:00 a.m., he approached another person on a sidewalk on the 700 block of Valencia Street and brandished a Polymer 80 Firearm Ghost Gun and demanded her property. The victim handed him her property and as before he fled the area on foot. Thirty minutes later, at 1:30 a.m. on September 9, 2023, Mr. Saavedra approached two other women on a sidewalk on the 600 block of Mission Street brandished a Polymer 80 Firearm Ghost Gun and demanded their property. After the victims handed him their property, he once again fled the area on foot. San Francisco Police Department Officers met with two of the victims shortly after the Mission Street robbery and were able to track the location of one of their stolen cellphones to the area of 500 Howard Street where they observed Mr. Saavedra entering a car. Officers conducted a felony stop and recovered all of the victims’ property inside along with a Polymer 80 Firearm Ghost Gun.
The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Miranda, with assistance from District Attorney Investigators Glenn Pon and Robert Pamplona, paralegals Rayna Bryan and Jen Java and IT support from Noaeh Pinaire. Victim Advocate Amy Prado worked closely with the victims through the pendency of the case. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Mr. Saavedra based on the careful investigation of the San Francisco Police Department’s Southern Station.
“I would like to thank the jury for their service and verdict finding Mr. Saavedra guilty of five violent robberies and delivering justice to the victims,” said Assistant District Attorney Robert Miranda. “The jury’s verdict shows that violent criminal conduct will not be tolerated in San Francisco.”
Mr. Saavedra is currently in custody. Sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2024.
Court Number: 23014384
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